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A Path I Know 







YOUR HAPPY 
WAY 

and Other Verse 
For Occasions 

By 

AGNESS GREENE FOSTER 

' % 

Author of 

By The Way 
A Royal Road 
You and Some Others 
A Net of Love, etc., etc. 



1924 

THE STRATFORD CO., Publishers 

Boston, Massachusetts 




fSsjr,/ 

.6 is yi3 


Copyright, 1924 

The STRATFORD CO., Publishers 
Boston, Mass. 



The Alpine Press, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 


The Publishers desire to acknowledge the 
courtesy extended by the Book & Art Exchange 
of Chicago, New York and London; Messrs. 
P. F. Volland and Company, Chicago; The 
Woodbury E. Hunt Art Press of Concord, New 
Hampshire; Messrs. Davis and Bond, Boston; 
Giulio Giannini et Figlio, Florence, Italy, and 
Messrs. Paul Elder and Company, San Fran¬ 
cisco, in granting permission to reprint several 
poems included in this volume. 








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v 


Dedication 


It matters 
not 

Who wrote 
this book , 

If only you 
will care to 
look 

And find 
the love 
Between each 
line, 

Placed there 
for you 
By thought of 
mine. 



Contents 


PART I 


Page 

Life and Work.1 

Your Happy Way.3 

Weaving of Life’s Fabric.3 

The Way.4 

“Be”.5 

The Acid Test of All Work.5 

Growth.6 

Aim to Make All Men Contented.7 

The Employer.7 

The Life Beautiful.7 

Naming a Masterpiece.7 

The Painting of Life’s Day.8 

All.9 

Castles in the Air.10 

Naming a Monument.10 

Build Me a Cot.12 

“La Verite”.13 

“And Above All—Stand”.13 

Get Busy.14 

If the Shoe Pinches—Don’t Fuss.14 

Don’t Let Your Head Be Turned.14 

Harvest.15 

Just Now.15 

PART II 

Friendship.17 

The Heaven Within.19 

To Friendship.19 

“You” ..21 











CONTENTS 


Page 

Question.22 

Answer.22 

Lines to a Beautiful Woman.22 

The Net of Love ........ 23 

Your Friendship.23 

To an Understanding Friend.23 

Friendship.24 

Love Is Best.25 

The Ennobling Power of Friendship . . . .25 

The Garden of My Heart.25 

Bon Voyage.26 

What Human Love May Do.27 

Keep Love Bright.27 

A Heart Song.27 

Loyalty .......... 28 


PART III 


Miscellaneous.31 

Abraham Lincoln.33 

My Brown Thrasher.34 

A Path I Know ........ 35 

Service.36 

America. 37 

Do Not Complain.38 

Symbols.39 

September.39 

The Eyes of a Child.39 

My Beautiful Great Dane Margravine . . . .40 

Pansies . . . ..40 

October. 41 

Lines on Travel and Places.41 

Greece. 41 

Athens. 41 

An Invitation.42 













CONTENTS 


PART IY 

Page 

Lilies of Comfort.43 

Woman.45 

Right Thought.45 

Unformed Thoughts.45 

Your Father’s Hand.46 

What’s the Use?.46 

Just Try it Again and Yet Again.47 

Right Desire Is Prayer.47 

Life.47 

Just Know.48 

Omnia.49 

Just Think.49 

No Fear.49 

Keep Me Simple.50 

Child’s Morning Prayer ...... 50 

Hymn.50 

His Hand . 51 

To Him That Overcometh.51 

PART V 

Lines for Occasions 
The New Year 

Raison D’Etre.53 

, A New Year’s Prophecy.55 

A New Year’s Wish.55 

Cheer All the Year.55 

Turning a New Leaf.56 

A New Rule for a New Year.56 

Kindness.56 

A New Year’s Greeting.57 

All Year.57 

A New Year’s Reverie.57 

The Song of the Minstrel.57 














CONTENTS 


PART VI 

Page 

St. Valentine’s Day.59 

A Daily Wish.61 

Will You Remember?.61 

I’m Thinking of You . . . . . .61 

Love’s Message.61 

A Valentine.62 

To My Valentine.62 

A Drop of Ink.63 

Tell Me True.64 

A Heart.64 

A Lost Heart.64 

A Valentine.65 

A Love Song.65 

PART VII 

Easter.67 

Easter Fulfillment.69 

A Joyful Fact.69 

Easter Day ......... 69 

Blossoms ......... 69 

Easter Lilies.71 

Flowers .......... 71 

Truth Triumphant........ 71 

Risen This Easter Day.71 

PART VIII 

Birthdays.73 

The Day You Came to Earth.75 

The Real Birthday.75 

Youth.76 

Law .......... 76 

Joy.76 

Lines to Send With Birthday Gifts or Flowers . .76 





















CONTENTS 


Page 

An Acknowledgment.77 

Life’s Dial.77 

Your Millennium.78 

Kismet.78 

For All Time.78 

PART IX 

Yule-tide.79 

The King’s Birthday.81 

The True Greeting.81 

When Twilight Falls.82 

Your Right.82 

Not for One Day Alone.82 

With a Christmas Book.82 

Christmas Love Not Gifts.83 

A Christmas Letter.83 

Chimes.83 

Joy Bells.84 

Spirit of Christmas.84 

Wings of the Morning.84 

Always the Same.85 

Friendly Greetings.85 

Your Heritage.85 

Your Gift to Me.86 

The Temple.86 

Allegiance.86 

Best for Thee.86 

So I Am Content.87 

Pure Gold.87 

Always Near.87 

Cheer.88 


















PART I 


Life and Work 

How oft some printed word or line that caught the 
eye, has changed the whole thought trend; and 
turned to blue some sad heart’s blackened sky. 


Prepare tomorrow’s way 
By paving well today. 


[i] 






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1 . 












Your Happy Way 


Your Happy Way 

Do you know why you are so happy ? 

’Tis because your heart is true; 

You have thoughts that are right toward your fellows, 
And that’s why your sky is so blue* 

And that’s why you’re glad at the old year’s end, 
And that’s why you ’re glad when it’s new, 

And that’s why it is that I call you, 1 ‘ friend, ’ ’ 

I wish there were more like you. 

Weaving of Life’s Fabric 

Wouldst have the fabric of thy life wrought in rare 
and beauteous design? 

Watch, then, with unceasing vigilance, the silver 
shuttle of speech as it flies from the loom of 
thought. 

Upon the oft recurring of the golden thread of Love 
depends the beauty and the splendor of life’s 
fabric. 

Not here, not there a tiny gleam, nor yet in mon¬ 
strous patches with yards of sombre hue between. 

That life shows best whose thread of Love shines 
oft and even through each day’s weave. 

Thine may of scarlet be—bright as the poppy’s head— 
yet if on closer, nearer view the warp be gold, 

’Tis tempered into harmony. 

[3] 



Your Happy Way 


Though colorless and gray the fabric seems to care¬ 
less eyes, 

Yet, at close range, if the gold thread of Love there 
gleams, ’twill warmer grow; 

Or red or drab, when touched by sunlight’s glow, 
will melt all mingling into one. 

To One alone ’twas given to weave His life in cloth 
of gold—All Love. 

Him wouldst thou follow? Of a surety, then, con¬ 
stant thou must be. 

Weave what thou wilt, but let there ever be 

Bright scrolls of gold on silvered ground, 

With here a thread of royal blue and there a purple 
strand. 

And yet the silver shuttle’s prone to slip— 

Guard well thy thought, thy tongue, thy lip! 


The Way 

If work is not well done, 
It is not done; 

For there is one right way 
There IS but one. 


[4] 



Your Happy Way 


i* 


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“Be” 

Be what thou would’st have 
All men think thou art. 

If thou would’st banish fear, 

Say to that inmost heart of thine, 

“What rarer jewel can I keep 
Within this hiding place of mine, 

Than my own conscience clear?” 

The Acid Test of All Work 

Yes, Artists all are we, hut what our models be, 

Is told to dullest eye, on canvas, clay or stone, 

And on our lives, in what we call our destiny; 

For on the form of finished work—our thoughts 

are shown. 

The Masters of the ages left this one sure rule, 

“Hold thought full steadfast to the good and 

true, ’ ’ 

If thou wouldst have thy work,—it matters not what 

school,— 

Forever live, and beautiful in line and hue. 

Then every thing we do,—both nobly grand or 

small,— 

Must planned be in thought, if it would aye 

endure. 


[5] 



Your Happy Way 


Wait not on muse nor hour, just answer Truth’s 

clear call; 

But thoughts must beauteous be,—perfection to 

ensure. 

With gracious thoughts for models fair—oh, then 

can we, 

Like old Prometheus, all gladly, truly say: 

“Now I could paint the bow upon God’s canopy, 
Around me play thoughts of divinity today!” 

Growth 

To James Bussell Lowell 

0 teacher and poet, the keen unrest 
Your songs awoke in an anxious breast, 

Is bearing fruit, in these after years, 

Of peace and joy and rest from fears. 

How little we know in the early spring, 

What the summer days to our hearts will bring. 
’Twas then but the words our senses smote 
Of beauty and feeling, when you wrote: 

“ ’Tis heaven alone that is given away, 

’Tis only God may be had for the asking.” 

But now, now in the forever day, 

In the knowledge of God, as in sun’s rays basking, 
Though we still feel the art of the songs so rare 
You sang,—now the meaning lies bare: 

The seeds of Truth are worth the sowing 
When God may be had by simply knowing. 


[6] 



Your Happy Way 


Aim To Make All Men Contented 

If I could write one line 

Filled with the iron of Life; 

I’d count the years well spent 
Which on it I had labored 
Long and late. 

If to one hungry heart 

Some crumbs of comfort I had sent— 
Or—led him to “The Happy Gate.” 

The Employer 

“God is the only employer,” 

Said a sweet voice, I know not from where 
And Work is divine expression 
And Infinite Love,—recompense.” 

The Life Beautiful 

Where there is Principle there is plenty, 
Where there is industry there is success; 
Where there is content there is a friend. 
Where there is Life there is no end. 

Naming a Masterpiece 

Death cannot stay thy hand, 0 sculptor great! 
There is but one almighty power that can 
Create (not cause to cease); and thou in it 
Shalt live alway to carve on stone or heart 


[7] 




Your Happy Way 


Some other, greater work of art. Hence do 
I name thy masterpiece—(expression of 
The spark divine in thee) — not “Fate” *— not 
“Death”— 

But “Life.” What could it other be? Since naught 
Thy Sculptor made can crumble or decay; 

For thou wast fashioned after model true. 

Now thy strong thought which wrought it into stone, 
Still lives and works and loves in endless Life. 

The figure on the Adams Monument, Rock Creek Cemetery, Wash¬ 
ington, D. C., has been variously interpreted, although Saint-Gaudens 
gave no name to it.—C. Lewis Hind. 


The Painting of Life’s Day 

Wouldst, have each day like gleam of color bright, 
Whilst filling in the outlines of a life? 

Then never from the canvas turn away 
When shadows only seem to darken all 
’Round fancy’s sight. 0 search for the true light; 
Nor wait to wish for subtler shades to-day. 

Couldst better blend the tint of yon blue sky, 

By wondering why thou canst not with one stroke 
Paint bow that glows on heaven’s ethereal arch? 
Yet all unlike Prometheus rash,—thou mayst,— 
(As one who hath dominion,) learn to catch 
Rare hues of great divinity, and thus 
Create what’s right for thee to think or paint. 
’Twas ever thus with tasks that seem less great; 

[8] 



Your Happy Way 


The larger thoughts ne’er come to those who wait 
To count what they call failures, o’er and o’er, 

For we are told that even shadows gray, 

Looked at in light, make life’s dull canvas bright. 

Then waste not precious hours in useless dreams 
When every second may be put to gain. 


All 

The strength of the strong 
is Love, 

The righting of wrong 
is Love; 

The good that we give 
is Love, 

The Life that we live 
is Love. 

The measure of time 
is Love, 

The height that we climb 
is Love; 

The way we must trod 
is Love, 

The Soul which is God 
is Love. 


[9] 



Your Happy Way 


Castles in the Air 

Would you have your castles 
Filled with Light? 

Build them very high. 

Would you have them keep your 
Thoughts aright? 

They must reach the sky. 

Would you have your castles 
Shut out fear ? 

Build them very strong. 

Would you have your castles 
With Truth clear? 

They must hold no wrong. 
Would you have them temples 
Fair to see? 

Guard them from above. 

Then a mighty stronghold 
They will be, 

Builded thus on Love. 


Naming a Monument 

Oh, wondrous work of man, (whom God designed) • 
For there’s but one almighty power that can 
Create such noble thoughts, expressed in lines 
Divinely fair—like yonder masterpiece; 

And thus have wrought in iron and in our hearts 
Remembrance of your valorous sons, who gave 

[10] 



Your Happy Way 


Their precious lives to wipe from the proud brow 
Of this dear native land of ours—a blot 
And freedom gave to her; a freedom which 
Must e’er defended be by you Oh, sons, 

Of these so noble sires; a freedom from 
A subtler slavery. Now after half 
A century she calls again to prove 
Our loyalty and bravery. Why bow 
With an uncovered head before these names, 

If we respond not to our country’s call, 

And flaunt our fear instead of fealty? 

###### 

Upon yon scroll’s the name of a young lad,— 

A drummer boy—scarce twenty years of age— 

Who marched close by the bearer of their flag; 

And when his friend sore wounded fell to earth, 
He held aloft those sacred stars and stripes 
And led his comrades on to victory! 

Both lived to see their blessed country free. 

Dear God, has stuff like that gone out of vogue ? 

I hear ten thousand voices answer “No! 

We’ll help our home land, when she calls to arms, 

To fight for freedom and humanity! ’ ’ 

###### 

Therefore, I name thee—Oh, thou beaut’ous pile,— 
So like, in strength, the warriors thou recall, 

Not monument commemorating death, 

But one of Love—of Liberty—of Life! 


[11] 



Your Happy Way 


Yes, “Life” I name thee, since those soldier-boys 
Still live; for deeds like theirs can never die! 

And this is why full fifty years roll by 

And they, within our hearts—still loved—live on! 

Build Me a Cot 

Build me a cot in some quiet glade, 

Away from the mortal thought: 

Where I may—in the silence—think 
Of things with all beauty fraught. 

Every thought 
With beauty fraught. 

Thoughts that will bring to some lonely heart 
Gladness and joy’s sweet ring, 

Where I may list to the lark’s free note 
Or rest whilst my brothers sing. 

Gladness bring 
Whilst others sing. 

Build it so simple that none may seem 
To seek it for worldly quest: 

But if they enter by chance some day 
May the peace there found lull their hearts to rest 
In my nest 
All is rest. 


[12] 



Your Happy Way 


"La Verite ’ 

Not anything is insignificant 
Not anything that lives, nor that has grown 
Out of the earth—nor yet by sea winds blown 
Upon the shore from out a tideless sea. 

E’en the dark cloud on the horizon aslant 
Proves some Almighty Power behind the wind 
And underneath the seeming solid sod 
All things have much not seen that is of worth. 

In every seed and blade of grass is mind— 
Unfailing proof of a Perfection fine,— 

An all pervading something that’s divine 
This touch of the Eternal Presence makes 
All things—tree, flower, meadow, stream and man 
Acknowledgement by demonstration bring. 

“And Above All — Stand** 

Who leans upon another warps his strength, 

Like him who stops to count the golden sands 
In vain endeavor thus to reach some goal; 

And from the hours or brothers makes demands. 
He robs himself of birthright and of Soul 
And makes him weak who should be wholly grand. 
For he who reaches best the highest mark— 

Upon his own and noblest strength must stand. 


[13] 



Your Happy Way 


Get Busy 

(With respectful apologies to Mr. Benjamin Franklin) 

’Tis the birds that sit, 

Who are always hit; 

For the birds on the wing, 

Soar aloft while they sing. 

If the Shoe Pinches — Don’t Fuss 

Ingrowing^ nerves 

Are like nails of that sort, 

And the cure is the same for each kind; 
Accept only what fits, 

And then if it hurts 
Take it off of both feet and the mind. 

Don’t Let Your Head Be Turned 

No matter what you do, 

Nor what “they say,” 

Keep your face this way; 

It matters not how great you grow 
Nor fine your stunt, 

Wear your face in front. 

/ [14] 



Your Happy Way 


Harvest 

If your life is a starved one, 
Don’t tell it, 

Get after the thoughts you sow; 
For your reaping will be 
What YOU make it, 

A harvest of joy or of woe. 

Just Now 

Never mind about tomorrow 
It always is today; 

Yesterday is beyond recall 
Endeavor as we may. 

Each minute must be guarded, 

Made worth the while somehow; 
There are no other moments, 

It always is: JUST NOW. 

Just now is the hour that’s golden, 
The moment to defend. 

Just now, is without beginning; 

Just now, can never end. 

Then never mind tomorrow 
’Tis today you must endow 
With all that’s true and noble 
And the time for this is NOW. 


[15] 
































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PART II 


Friendship 

There is a subtle something which draws together 
and which binds two human hearts as one; Call 
it what you will—the name means nothing un¬ 
less truth and loyalty form the beginning and 
the end and the part between these twain. 


[17] 



Your Happy Way 


The Heaven Within 

I asked an angel what the world could send 
To heaven that would be in tune and fair, 

Swift came the answer on the calm, clear air: 

“Oh, mortal, send earth’s rarest gem, a friend.” 

My heart’s at rest,—my search for heaven doth end, 
I have it now within, for you’re my friend. 


To Friendship 

Friendship is so rare a thing, 

I’m loath to bid you pledge yourselves with me, 
Lest I might fail mine own high ideal of it. 
Perhaps no word is so misused, 

For few have learned to think 
In friendship’s tongue. 

Our greatest fault,—’tis so in every clime,— 
We seek the thing, not try to be it. 

In other words, it is the vogue,— 

This wild mad search for one to love us; 
Instead of earning love by selfless giving. 

The truest way, the only way, indeed, 

To have a friend, then, is to be one. 

Just love! Love something, some one, 

m 



Your Happy Way 


And friends will flock 

Like snow-birds to the window ledge 

Where lies the crumb. 

Young men and maidens, let me pray 
You so to live that at a future day 
Some friend may truly of you say: 
“Infinitely better 
Than all the gold of Orient, 

Or costly gem of deepest mine, 

Is the warm heart glow that came to me 
From those staunch, loyal words of thine.” 
Or, if gift of friendship comes your way, 
Then you’ll be able thus to say: 

‘ ‘ Of all the gifts of all the years, 

None ever cause such smiles, such tears 
As thy friendship—friend; 

The eye grows bright, the heart leaps fast, 
To know thy love and friendship last 
Without an end. 

It ne’er began, it never ends, 

We always were and will be friends 
Throughout eternity. 

E’en when we pass to other clime 
I’ll understand, sweet friend of mine, 

Your loving loyalty.” 


[20] 



Your Happy Way 


Pledge me to-night, friends staunch to be, 
There is no greater fealty; 

Rich is that life and wide its fame, 

Which through all time one friend can claim, 
One friend who meriteth the name ! 


“You” 

What is this “You” I love so well 
Whose face and form forever dwell 
Within my heart ? 

Is it the face that makes you “You,” 

With smiles that thrill me through and through 
Though we ’re apart ? 

Or is’t the form which comes to view, 

That seems so much a part of you 
I love so dear? 

Ah, no! Were both some other thing, 

Still if to me your heart ’twould bring, 

0 never fear — 

I’d know it well; since all that’s best, 

And sweet and pure, that in you rest, 

Is mind above. 

For when God thought of something true, 

His angels came straightway to you — 

The “You” I love. 


[21] 



Your Happy Way 


Question 

I’ve seen yon seldom, spoken to yon less, 

Yet oft yon come in fancy’s guise 
My musing hour to bless. 

Is it because, perchance, of me yon think 
That the vast space between us is thus spanned 
And formed is friendship’s link? 

Naught can obstruct the growth of thoughts we sow, 
Nor distance place a barrier to time; 

So let us rest, some day—somewhere we’ll know 
What makes a friend. 

Answer 

I must have known you in some other Life 
Before th’ incomprehensible dense maze 
Of infant years closed down upon us twain 
Through which but those who understand can gaze. 

It is this sense of some relation past 

This surety of something without end 

This calm sweet atmosphere which you pervades— 

’Tis this alone which marks the perfect friend. 

Lines to a Beautiful Woman 

’Tis said, somewhere dear heart of me, 

“As a man thinketh so is he.” 

How exquisite thy thoughts must be 
Could’st teach me how to think like thee? 


[22] 



Your Happy Way 


The Net of Love 

That net of love is strong indeed, 

Which has drawn within its silken mesh, 
One friendship, keeping it constant and 
Content, without tying the ends. 


Your Friendship 

Your friendship is my treasure-trove, 
It keeps me kind and true, 

I better work, and sing, and play, 
Because God sent me—you. 


To an Understanding Friend 

What joy and gratitude should be your song, 

For kindly services along the way; 

You send but golden rays of cheer— 

Nor mind the cloudy day. 

Life would be blank without you, dear, 

Without your smile, or kindly word you send; 
Your thought makes bright the darkest hour, 

My dear —my understanding —friend. 


[23] 



Your Happy Way 


Friendship 

Of all the wondrous gifts of God, 
None he would ever send could be 
More rare, more passing sweet, 
Than is thy friendship—Friend. 


Friendship 

Of all the beauteous jewels, 
Friendship’s the rarest, I hold; 
For ’tis cut by the hand of an angel, 
And set in the purest of gold. 


Friendship 

Thou canst read, 

By searching thine own heart, 

How deep in the depths of mine, 

Have been stored all the thoughts of kindness, 
That came from the depths of thine. 


[ 24 ] 



Your Happy Way 


Love Is Best 

Yon may have gifts of rare design, 

But they can never equal mine; 

You may have gems and gold—and books 
And songs and flowers from secret nooks: 
But none of these can e ’er outlive, 

The wondrous love to you I give. 


The Ennobling Power of Friendship 

When fancy brought you to my thought, 

There fell from me all worldly care; 

Then I,—in happy spirit,—sent 
Far out across the miles, a prayer: 

A prayer of thankfulness and love, 

A prayer that friendship such as yours 
Might grow in every heart, above 
All other passions, and endure 
“Till man shall know that God is Love.” 

The Garden of My Heart 

My garden is my inmost heart. Above 

Floats Friendship like a perfume o’er each plot; 
’Tis watered by that pleasant fountain, Love, 

Near whose cool plash, when e’er the day is hot, 
I rest. My pergola is hid in shade. 

From out this bower I send rare buds to you, 


[ 25 ] 




Your Happy Way 


And if yon let them bloom they’ll never fade ,— 

These blossoms bright, of varied form and hue,— 
So subtle is their fragrance and their charm 
Commingled with their emblematic scheme, 
They’ll waft me you-ward, causing no alarm, 

Whilst you will fancy it is but a dream. 

Can you divine, my friend, the reason why? 

These flowers I send are thoughts—they cannot die. 

Bon Voyage 

Although I know God blesses all 
His children here, both great and small, 

It helps to banish human fear, 

To say to you — “God bless you, dear.” 

And so I call across the sea, — 

Which cannot separate from me 
The Love that keeps us ever near, — 

God bless you, dear, God bless you, dear. 

And as the miles between have grown 
I feel your warm hand clasp my own; 

Nor miles nor moments can efface 
The love that doth us both embrace. 

Across the mountain peak of snow, 

And great divide, as on I go, 

I hear your voice call strong and clear, 

“God bless you, dear, God bless you, dear.” 

[ 26 ] 



Your Happy Way 


What Human Love May Do 

0 scoffers of this thought divine, 

If you but knew the seeds that fall 
From what seems love of sentiment, 

But which grows Love that’s all in all, — 
You’d scatter them both far and wide, 

Nor be surprised, when lo, you’d find 
The dear old world is not half bad, 

And all your friends have grown more kind! 

Keep Love Bright 

On life’s clear page, 

Oh, each day write 
Some golden word 
To keep love bright; 

And the book ne’er close. 

A Heart Song 

There’s a song in my heart, 

Sent from heaven a sign; 

That God forms the friends, 

And sent you for mine. 


[ 27 ] 



Your Happy Way 


Loyalty 

The Chinese have a maxim, I have heard; 
“Friends are o’er rare, 

Acquaintances o’er many.” 

Alas, ’tis true, 

How many, think you can you count 
Who’d go to jail with you, 

And know, and say that you were innocent 
Of that for which you’d been accused? 

How many men or women can you name, 

For whom, with gladness, you would do the same? 
Full well I know you think you’d do so now, 

The hour’s heroic 

But few there be whose high ideals 
Stand friendship’s test. 

0, that we all might win our spurs 
If asked to pledge, like knights of old, 

Our constancy-; 

That day would shine, as golden born 
In history. 

Dear reader fair and strong and brave, 

Come vie with me! 

And swear that never more you’ll stand 
To hear one word of aught save good 
’Gainst any man. 

It matters not how true it seems 
Pause not to listen to black doubt; 

Raise high your banner white and blue— 

[ 28 ] 



Your Happy Way 


Symbol of friendship pure and true— 

And by your look, your word, your manner, 
(Upon my faith you’ll never rue it,) 

Fling back the lie, and make them chew it. 

Then watch the gossip, mark his lack of friends, 
Dost know of aught his thought attends 
Save slander? 

Not so with those he would decry, 

You’ll doubtless find their thoughts too high, 
Their motives grander; 

Than to descend his idle words to comprehend, 
Or e’en to try. 

Soon he’s forgot; 

But their high trend, incentive gives 
To follow one, fine brave young King. 

Who bade His knights, judge not, 

He said: “Judge ye not anything.” 

Shake not the head, 

It can be done; 

Proved’s been the rule, 

Like sum in Euclid, 

In life’s stern school. 

If one such friend as this be found, 

0, guard his weal; 

For by your loyalty and truth to him, 

Your higher, nobler self you will reveal. 

[ 29 ] 



PART III 


Miscellaneous 

As you pass along with the hurrying throng, 
Through the piney woods or the gay highway; 

May your heart beat strong with the great glad song, 
That fills mine for all mankind this day. 


[ 31 ] 






Your Happy Way 


Abraham Lincoln 

(February twelfth) 

God loved us in His own almighty way 

And changed that twelfth night to prophetic day 

By sending us this babe. 

For whilst we know God gives us every one 
They do not all keep faces toward the sun 
As did this splendid lad. 

It mattered not to him how dark might seem 
The hour; he knew it shone—not all a dream— 
A glow somewhere for him. 

There is no record of his asking why 
It never shed some rays from leaden sky 
Upon his manhood way. 

But like the Abraham of olden time, 

He proved him worthy of his name sublime 
As bravely he worked on. 

And not for self did he his prowess lend, 

’Twas ever gladly given for some friend, 

If found less fortunate. 

He had the gift of silvern speech—and more— 
His silence brought the nation to implore 
His lofty leadership. 


[33] 



Your Happy Way 


He served his country well—’tis proven now— 
He helped to wipe the blot from her fair brow, 
And freedom gave to her! 
##*#### * * 

He is not dead! He lives and seeks to free 
Your loving hearts from subtle slavery— 

Dear loyal country-men. 

He lives! For naught his Master made can die 
And this is why a hundred years roll by 
And he, still loved, lives on. 

My Brown Thrasher 

(Ioxostoma rufum) 

Aloft toward high and vaulted heavens blue, 

My Thrasher poised, and by some sorcery 
Sends forth from out his won’drous golden throat, 
A flood of sparkling liquid melody. 

At twilight hour with rapture most divine, 

As if to cool, with song, the sultry day; 

He comes to soothe my sad and weary heart, 

With showers of trills that fill his roundelay. 

Nor song of Lark, nor Thrush, nor Nightingale, 
Can with his matchless aria compare; 

For Music bared her secrets all to him, 

And he confides them to th’ empyr’al air. 


[ 34 ] 



Your Happy Way 


A Path I Know 

There is a path I know it leads to heaven; 

Why smile? 

Come bide the while, 

Remember “heaven” means “home” 

Where work and play and love beguile 
The happy hours 
For her and for me. 

’Twas dense and dark till we the clearing reached 
For doom 
We left no room, 

We triumphed o’er the forest gloom, 

We battled through with sad, tired hearts 
And feet and hands. 

She worked as did I. 

Now lined with gold is this dear path I know, 

And green. 

Hast even seen, 

Border of Marigolds with yellow chicks between? 
No? Ah—without all these heaven 
Were no heaven 
To her and to me. 


[ 36 ] 



Your Happy Way 


Service 

Lines written by request and read at a banquet given to a pastor who 
was married on the same day on which he began his pastorate and 
which he held in the same church for fifty years. 

Oh years of loyal service, 

Blest years of Love and Truth; 

Years in the Master’s vineyard, 

Years of your fearless youth. 

With happy hearts you started, 

Full of love for Man and God. 

You climbed life’s hill together, 

Now slowly down you plod. 

With Love and Truth your watchword, 

The Shepherd’s flocks you guide— 

How oft you might have faltered 
Had you not been side by side. 

How dark the road grew ofttimes, 

The clearing seemed o’er far, 

But how bright the morning’s sunlight 
When you followed Bethlehem’s Star! 

# # # # 

And still together, now you start 
Adown the hill that was so steep, 

And “holding back” seems quite as hard,— 

As the upward climb,—to keep. 


[ 36 ] 



Your Happy Way 


All this is why we love yon both, 

And pray for many more 

Of yonr strong, helpful guiding years 
On this terrestrial shore. 

For there’s marked on every mile-stone 
The lessons you have taught, 

Of love—of truth, of kindliness, 

And of the blessings of right thought. 

God keep you both together 
Here, to answer if we call; 

God smile on you and bless you, 

As you have blessed us all. 


America 

0, Hail to thee, my blessed land! 

A goddess with a lavish hand 

Flings flowers and fruits from peak to strand, 

On thee, thrice blest America! 

Hail! Hail! to thee, Land of the Free 
Dear land of Truth and Loyalty! 

The land of health, of worth, of wealth, 

Is our dear land—America! 


[ 37 ] 



Your Happy Way 


0, Hail to thee and thy vast hound, 

Nowhere the laden world around 
Such riches as thine own are found 
In thee, dear loved America! 

Thou art the queen of golden lore, 

Thy children’s pride forever more! 

Thou art the victor, as of yore, 

0, glorious land—America! 

Thy daughters and thy sons are true, 

Their thoughts are right as skies are blue; 

That’s why they bring all men to you, 

Thou best beloved—America! 

Thy dauntless march all nations greet. 

They bow before thy progress fleet; 

Thou’rt worthy of their homage sweet, 

All hail to thee:—America! 

Hail! Hail to thee, Land of the Free, 

Dear land of Truth and Loyalty! 

The land of health, of worth, of wealth, 

Is our dear land—America! 

Do Not Complain 

Oh, do not complain at the way the flower grows: 
Forget the sharp thorns just remember the rose. 
[ 38 ] 



Your Happy Way 


Symbols 

Sun is symbolic of God. 

Trees of His mighty power; 

Grass of His tender care, 

But His love is shown in a flower. 

September 

Oh blessed month, I love thee best, 
Symbol of Plenty, of Love and of Rest 


The Eyes of a Child 

0 eyes of childhood, innocent and pure, 

True emblem of the spirit light divine; 

No human thought can ever you outshine, 

Because Eternal Love shall e’er endure. 

Frail error wields no power you to allure 
Divinely fair, from infinite design, 

False time can change you not, nor make repine; 
With constant lustre there—Truth shines secure. 
Naught can e’er change Perfection’s mighty plan; 
Years cannot fade yon heaven’s perfect blue— 
Nor marble change without the sculptor’s hand. 

Abide in Light, which nothing dims nor can; 
Brave, tender eyes deny what is untrue, 

For God designed you—perfect shall ye stand. 

[ 39 ] 



Your Happy Way 


To My Beautiful Great Dane Margravine 

I oft recall your happy way, 

My Margravine, 

Your low sweet whine when you were glad— 

(’Twas not so soft when you were sad)— 

Dear Margravine. 

The gracious giving of your hand, 

Kind Margravine 

When you were anxious to attract 

Attention from some trivial act 
Of Margravine! 

Upon your throne you held full sway, 

Queen Margravine— 

And how you conquered every heart, 

With beauty and with well-bred art, 

Fair Margravine. 

How proud am I that you are mine, 

Kind Margravine; 

How my heart aches when e’er I roam, 

But glows at your wild welcome home, 

Loved Margravine. 

Pansies 

Would you know the thoughts that the pansies signify? 

Come to my garden where in sweet content they lie; 

Their upturned faces tell of love and truth, 

Spring’s happy message of eternal youth. 

[ 40 ] 




Your Happy Way 


October 

Sweet month of fulfillment, 
When Earth and Heaven send 
Proofs of rare values, 

In harvest and friend. 


Lines on Travel and Places 

Ah me, ah me, that I should be 
So torn by my inconstancy; 

I fain would go—I tarry so, 

But see the world, I must—heigh-ho. 

Greece 

Come, come with me to the Isles of Greece, 

And on o ’er the seas to its golden shore; 
Pause not till you reach Athenia’s crown, 

Then mount to the heaven domed Parthenon. 
Its glories will feed your musing hours, 

When fame has dwindled to cheap renown. 

Athens 

Full many a bard of thy strong walls has sung, 
Full many a hand has sketched thy fair outline; 
But none can sing nor paint all that thou art, 

To longing, loving, simple hearts like mine, 

[ 41 ] 



Your Happy Way 


An Invitation 

We have built a “ Lean-to ” to the old farm house, 
At a turn of the Green Bay Road; 

Where, when the summer day is hot 
Come seek our simple abode. 

t You will find us nestled among the pines, 

Our latch-string will meet you far down the lane; 

You must fancy the stubble and brush and clay 
To be shrubbery and garden we hope to attain. 

We can promise you naught but quiet calm, 

Away from the city’s noise and strife; 

Come when your heart craves needful rest, 

And share with us our peaceful life. 


[ 42 ] 



PART IV 


Lines of Comfort 

Judge not—I hear my Master say, 
Judge Ye not anything today. 


[ 43 ] 


Your Happy Way 


Woman 

First to admit thy fault,—mother of Christ, The 
Truth; 

First at the sepulcher, and at the cross—the last; 
First the disguise from serpent’s lie, then to unmask. 

Right Thought 

Growth never comes in the cold, bleak winter, 

To tender sapling nor towering tree; 

Spring finds it where the autumn winds left it. 

And thus it was ever with you and with me. 

The spirit heights that we climb in life’s summer 
Can never he lessened though men say we die ; 
Thus we will be at the next season’s turning, 

For where the tree falleth, there shall it lie. 

To understand life makes man immortal, 

For as a man thinketh so shall he he; 

Think right then alway, today, tomorrow, 

And right shall be thine through eternity. 

Unformed Thoughts 

“God tenderly gathers the unformed thoughts” 
And makes of them flowers, we are told ; 

He opens the petals their hearts to disclose-^- 
The perfume bursts forth on earth to remain 
Whilst they all new beauties unfold. 

[ 45 ] 



Your Happy Way 


The half-open buds are symbolic 
Of Springtime’s happy zeal— 

Of the lessons of life we are learning; 

If the opening petals reveal 
Hearts that are golden and perfect— 

Their odor and color exhale 
A fragrance and glow, that’s reflected 
On life as on sun-kissed vale. 

Your Father’s Hand 

When tempted to turn from the things you must 
meet, 

Just reach for your Father’s hand; 

Meet Him first every day 
And close to Him stay, 

Very soon you will find 
How smooth is the way, 

How simple and kind His command. 

What’s the Use? 

0 mortal man, who is it judging thee? 

And what is it, receiving judgment pray? 

’Tis but, in truth, a bit of earthly dust 

That’s passing judgment on a piece of clay. 

[ 46 ] 



Your Happy Way 


Just Try It Again and Yet Again 

When worldly thoughts knock at the door, 
Of my poor human heart, I say; 

“Not here, thou false alluring one, 

Thou canst not enter here today.’’ 


Right Desire Is Prayer 

It signifieth little 

What words we use in prayer, 

Or what our outward attitude, 

Or why we pray or where; 

It signifieth greatly 
If our desires are right; 

They’re known before we utter them 
By Omnipresent Might. 

Life 

Thank God, in sorrow, you’re not unbelieving, 
For in all things you’re ever strong and true; 
You do not forget, when you are grieving, 
That all God’s promises were made for you. 

It is for you—for—Truth is true ! 

He has told you, oh, times without number, 
There is no death! Life is for you. 

He is not dead, he only seems to slumber. 


[ 47 ] 



Your Happy Way 


The dust you laid away is not God’s likeness, 

He’s still His image, nor can ever be 
Aught but His child. This tho’t will bring new 
gladness 

To your heart, if you’ll but try to see. 

He knows now there is no grave, no changing; 

And if you turn away from sorrow’s strife 
You’ll understand there can be no deranging 
Of God’s Great Plan, which is Unending Life. 


Just Know 

How shall I overcome the fear 
That all’s not well with those most dear, 
When tempests rage and wild winds blow? 
How shall I know? How shall I know? 

Just know no harm comes anywhere, 

For all are in God’s loving care. 

These are the thought seeds we must sow, 
If we would know. If we would know. 

Just know God’s promise never fails*— 

It matters not how fear assails, 

Yet we can pray and, praying, grow^ 

Then we shall know. Then we shall know. 



Your Happy Way 


Omnia 

An angel said—in a dream of mine 
There’s nothing real that is not divine! 

Then I asked him to tell me what was true 
Of men and of things in and out of view; 

Of the sky, the sea and the mighty rock, 

Of thunder and storm and the lightning shock? 

His answer strange had a ring that was true 
“There is no me,”—said he—“no you; 

There’s nothing real here neither man nor stone 
There’s nothing real hut God, just God alone!” 

Just Think 

No time to read? 

No time to pray? 

Yet time to smile? 

You’ve time to eat, 

You’ve time to drink, 

You’ve time to dress, 
x Could you not think 

Of God the while? 

No Fear 

Oh, help me keep 
Thine image clear; 

To know the Truth, 

To have no fear. 


[ 49 ] 



Your Happy Way 


Keep Me Simple 

Oh, Keep me simple, Lord, 

I pray, 

Make me of use to Thee, 
each day. 

Child’s Morning Prayer 

Now I wake to the bright sunlight, 

’Twas God who kept me through the night; 

If I let Him guide me the whole day through, 
He will bless with success what e ’er I do. 


Hymn 

Oh blessed promise Love hath wrought, 

No evil can pollute our thought; 

Oh thrice blest vow to Abram’s seed, 

That Love Divine shall meet each need. 
It always has and always will 

Supply all good—if we “be still,” 

And know that God is infinite, 

But “know” we must, if we he right. 

[ 50 ] 



Your Happy Way 


’Tis not enough—just to believe 
God good, but goodness to achieve; 

If God’s with us, what care we then? 

All good is ours. Amen! Amen! 

Oh! Shout ye angels, “God’s with us,” 
“Immanuel—or God with us.” 

And sin and death are vanquished when 
God is with us! Amen! Amen! 


His Hand 

Hold fast to His hand, 

Draw it ever to you; 

Though the nails that pierced His 
Pierce thine own through and through. 


To Him That Overcometh 

To him that overcometh 
Dominion shall be given. 

He shall inherit all things 

For which his heart hath striven, 

If he but overcometh. 


[ 51 ] 





























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PART V 


Lines for Occasions 
The New Year 


Raison D’Etre 

The influence of an unexpected greeting, 
From absent almost forgotten friends, 
Holds subtler power than one suspects 
So small an act portends. 


[ 53 ] 



Your Happy Way 


A New Year’s Prophecy 

I know 

That all the new years 
And the old 
Shall hold for you 
Bright cups of gold 
Filled high with 
Love and plenty. 

For ’tis with years 
As ’tis with you — 

There is no old 
There is no new — 

Love is at sixty 
As at twenty. 


A New Year’s Wish 

May all your ships he freighted 
With golden cargoes of cheer; 

For that’s what you give your fellows 
With interest each day of the year. 


Cheer All the Year 

My thoughts are so full 
Of the New Year cheer, 

I must share it at once with you. 


[ 55 ] 



Your Happy Way 


Just open the door of your heart, my dear: 
Let it come and nestle there warm, all year— 
For cheer 

Keeps the year 
Always new. 

Turning a New Leaf 

If the leaf you turned, in fancy, 

Seemed all blurred with failures, last year, 
Don’t wait for another twelve months 
Nor blot it still more with a tear. 

Keep turning, turning and turning 
Until you have one clean white page— 

Then work straight ahead without fearing 
For time has no limit nor age. 

A New Rule for a New Year 

The way to make a New Year happy, 

Is to have the old year always true; 

Just wish for the other fellow 

What you’d like to have him wish for you. 

Kindness 

All your years will be gay and happy, 

Since there are no old years to end; 

You will have all that is best and brightest, 
For Love is your guide, my friend. 

[ 56 ] 



Your Happy Way 


A New Year’s Greeting 

Whilst I know great showers of blessings 
Will make bright yonr onward way, 

Yet it warms my heart to send you 
My best wish this happy day. 


All Year 

My heart grows warm—with the New Year charm— 
And I send you its brightest lay— 

God bless you dear—through all the year— 

Not alone on this happy day. 

A New Year’s Reverie 

My thoughts turning backward, in fancy tonight, 
The past years glide by in review; 

I find those most brilliant with sunshine and light, 
Are gilded by memories of you. 

The Song of the Minstrel 

The minstrel has come again out of the past: 

Hark, how his clear harp rings! 

The theme of his serenade from first to last 
Is told in the song he sings! 

[ 57 ] 



Your Happy Way 


May your New Year be happy long after it’s old 
Till the yuletide comes next year 
May your every thought be of purest gold; 
Sparkling with jewels of cheer. 

Cheer is his minstrelsy with joy and with mirth. 

The motif is now, as then; 

The burden of his song is Peace on Earth 
Peace and good will to men. 

*May your New Year be happy long after it’s old 
Till the yule tide comes next year 
May your every thought be of purest gold; 
Sparkling with jewels of cheer. 


* Refrain. 




PART VI 

St. Valentine’s Day 

’Tis said that this old saint was but a sorry wag, 

And that with billet doux, each day, his wife he’d 
nag. 


[ 59 ] 






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Your Happy Way 


A Daily Wish 

I would not have you other than you are— 
Impossible ’twould be to sweeter grow; 

No better wish can I express for you, 

Than to repeat my prayer—God keep you so. 


Will You Remember? 

I little care how rare is June, 

How dread the bleak December; 

All days, to me, are bright and fair, 

If only you remember. 

I’m Thinking of You 

When e’er you read these lines of mine, 

It matters not what hour—what day; 
You’ll know someone—of you—somehow— 
Thinks often—somewhere—far away. 


Love’s Message 

Distance and space I’d count as naught, 
Years would seem short when we’re apart 
Could I but know between these lines, 
You’d find the message from my heart. 


[ 61 ] 



Your Happy Way 


A Valentine 

If I wrote every time I thought of you, 

I’d be writing each hour the whole year through; 
But better than letters or gifts, my friend, 

Are the golden thoughts that are never penned. 


A Valentine 

All day, in fancy, you’ve been near me, 

I felt your strong hand touching mine; 

Your name, I found, I oft repeated, 

And that is why I send this line. 

I wonder will you find my message, 

Pressed close between each word that I send; 
Find here in place of useless wishes, 

Things that endure from the heart of a friend. 


To My Valentine 

Had I the stars of the morning for gems in a diadem, 
Could I catch a cloud at my bidding or gather the 
rainbow’s hue; 

I’d give them all with their settings rare, 

For one heavenly smile from you. 


[ 62 ] 



Your Happy Way 


A Drop of Ink 

What worlds of thought, 
What sense of gain, 
Can flash along 
Life’s golden chain 
When love is there. 

If distance, then 
Keeps us apart, 

Love’s strand can reach 
Prom heart to heart— 
Oh, anywhere! 

’Twill carry safe 
On cable bright— 

A bit of ink, 

A thought I write— 
With tender care. 

Then reach far out 
Along each link, 

And find the love 
This drop of ink 
To you lays bare. 

It seems to be 

So small a thing— 

A drop of ink— 

Yet it can bring 
Me where you are. 

[ 63 ] 



Your Happy Way 


Tell Me True 

Tell me, dear one, tell me true, — 

I ’ll guard the secret with loving care: ■— 
How did the angels know ’twas you, 

When they filled your heart with love so rare ? 

A Heart 

Something went out of my life today, 
Something subtle -— what can it be ? 

Like the lilt of a laugh, or the sun’s bright ray, 
Or the scent of the rose that recalls you to me. 
You stopped long enough to steal off my heart; 
Did you take it forever or only for play ? 

If you feel how it weighs when we are apart, 
You will bring it back safe to me some day. 

A Lost Heart 

Oh woe—oh wee 
How can it be 
My heart has gone 
Outside of me. 

A lassie fair 
With curlie hair 
Snatched it away 
The other day. 

[ 64 ] 



Your Happy Way 


Alack—: alas 
To have it pass 
I do not care 
I want that lass. 

A Valentine 

If I could with these flowers go and rest near thee, 
I’d never fade, but live forever with thy smile for 
sunshine and thy frown for shade. 


A Love Song 

Here is the old, old story, dear, 
You’ve heard it oft from me; 
But now I call it all the way 
To you, across the sea. 
****** 

I can love you, dear, in English, or 
Italian, French or Greek; 

You are my heart’s ideal, dear. 
Your love is all I seek. 

Oh! Love me then in any way, 
Love me in any tongue. 

Else in my heart no music, dear, 
Will evermore be sung. 


[ 65 ] 



Your Happy Way 


To love you is my keenest joy, 

It makes me brave and true. 
I love all things the better, dear, 
For having thus loved you. 


[ 66 ] 



PART VII 


Easter 

To some it signifies a bonny bonnet— 

To others—flowers and Spring; 

To those from whose sad heart a weight is lifted, 
It means a holier thing. 


[ 67 ] 












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V 




Your Happy Way 


Easter Fulfillment 

I know there’s naught but radiant Light, 
So ope thy heart to it—ope wide— 

It gladness brings-—like violets— 

To thee, my friend, this Eastertide. 

A Joyful Fact 

The Stone of Materiality 
Is fast being rolled away; 

The Dawn of Spirituality 
Ushers in this Easter Day. 


Easter Day 

This is The Glorious Day of all Days, 
When Truth proves His power to save; 
And bids us arise above the belief 
In death and hell and the grave. 

Blossoms 

He is risen! Truth is risen! 

The stone has been rolled away, 

And Christ is revealed in each blossom, 
Where once we saw only the clay. 


[ 69 ] 



Your Happy Way 


Each bud is a living tribute 
To God, who doeth all things well. 

He made each flower in the garden, 

And all have His praises to tell. 

And the buds and the leaves and the blossoms, 
And the blades of grass in the sod, 
Proclaim: — “We are not of earth, earthy, 
For we are the smiles of our God.” 


Easter Lilies 

Easter Lilies, so fresh and fair, 

You are the emblems of Love Divine; 
Symbols of Life and comfort and hope, 

Truth shines out from your petals white; 

All that is mighty and pure and true 
Rises today in every land. 

All the dark shadows from death are tom, 
Beautiful blossoms, this Easter morn. 


Flowers 

Instead of a flower that fadeth, 
Undying thoughts I send, 

To bear the precious tidings 
Of a risen Saviour and Friend. 


[ 70 ] 



Your Happy Way 


Truth Triumphant 

It took centuries of prophecy, 

And a King in a manger born, 

To wake a world that slumbered 
To greet an Easter morn. 

It took a crown of sorrows, 

A cross, a Calvary, 

To form the shadow background 
For that reality. 

The light of Truth Triumphant, 
The splendor of its ray, 

The transcendental grandeur 
That makes an Easter Day. 


Risen This Easter Day 

You shared my joy when the King was born, 
And we named it the Christ-Thought Day; 

You followed close when my feet were torn, 

On the straight and rugged way. 

You shared with me my failures, friend, 

Now sing your gladdest lay; 

For my King was dead, the whole world said,— 
But He’s risen this Easter day. 

He will live in our hearts through eternity, 

He will lift our cares away; 

E ’en though we fall, He will hear, if we call, 

For He’s risen this Easter day. 


[ 71 ] 



PART VIII 


Birthdays 

“A day is as a thousand years,” 

And a thousand years but a day; 

Then why count time by days or years, 
When ’tis thoughts that pave life’s way? 


[ 73 ] 



/ 


Your Happy Way 


The Day You Came to Earth 

On this one day of the year, 

On this blessed morning clear, 

Camest thou to earth! 

Naught hut blue was in the skies, 

Naught but love was in thy eyes, 

Oh, that blessed birth! 

Transient are the joys of living, 

Save in love like I am giving, 

With my life to thee— 

Whilst the heavens and earth remaineth, 
Whilst my heart thy love retaineth, 

Will I love but thee! 


The Real Birthday 

Each day is a fresh beginning 
Each year but a step on the way 
That leads to the never ending, 
And always begun birthday. 

May the law of the everlasting 
The unchanging, eternal youth, 

Be the law of all your birthdays 
Be a day for the birth of truth. 


[ 75 ] 



Your Happy Way 


Youth 

Another mile-stone marks your road, 

And brave on its face is writ this truth; 

Time has no power to stop your march 
On the way to immortal youth. 

Law 

“You are a law unto yourself/’ 

And birthdays count for naught, 

Unless each mile-stone’s mortised in 
Securely by right thought. 

Joy 

There is never a wish expressed for you 
There is never a thought I send 
That does not carry some good to you, 

Or bring you great joy, my friend. 

Lines To Send With Birthday Gifts or Flowers 

’Twas but an empty sordid thing— 

This world I traveled through; 

Until the blessed day of all days, 

When God just sent me—YOU! 


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Your Happy Way 


Between these petals of these flowers, my friend, 
Oh find the fragrance of the thought I send! 

Did you ever find a “mile-stone?” 

Did you ever see a “year?” 

Then you’re just as young as ever, 

Let me whisper in your ear. 

For ’tis not the miles nor moments, 

That make smooth or rough life’s way; 

It is smiles and love and such things, 

That make life one gala day. 

An Acknowledgment 

The thoughts you sent the other day, 

I’ve tucked away within my heart; 

I’ll take them out along life’s way, 

And read them—dear,—when we’re apart. 

Life’s Dial 

Would you count your days 
By your heart throbs true ? 

Count the years that pass 
By the deeds you do. 

Would you live the most 
By the bravest test? 

Then count by the thoughts 
That are noblest—best. 


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Your Happy Way 


On life’s dial clear 
Let each figure be 
Expressed by the acts 
That are fair to see. 

Your Millennium 

There are no metes and bounds to time, 
There is no vast forever yet to come; 
Eternity, not time is now, 

To-day is your millennium. 

Kismet 

Your kismet reads 
Like a magic tale, 

Your bark sails safe — 

You have naught to fear. 

You’ll have wisdom and strength 
For each day’s cruise, 

And a Master-Helmsman 
That is always near. 

For All Time 

May every day 
In every year 
Be crowded full 
Of love and cheer 
For thee and thine, 

Dear friend of mine 


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PART IX 


Yule-tide 

The Yule-tide’s close upon us; we must ourselves 
bestir and send 

Some word of timely greeting to each friend. 


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Your Happy Way 


The King’s Birthday 

Every day is a King’s Birthday 
When Love is born. 

And best of all along life’s way 
The King comes in to rest and stay, 

When Love is born, 

When Love is born. 

We must not sigh nor question why 
When Love is born — 

So small a part to us is given; 

Love is enough! For that is Heaven! 

When Love is born, 

WFen Love is born. 

Ring out, 0 bells! ’T is Christmas Day 
In one glad heart; 

For the Christ-child comes adown this way, 
And when e’er He comes, ’t is a King’s Birthday, 
For Love is born, 

For Love is born. 

The True Greeting 

Far more than the words, “Merry Christmas” 
You’ll find hidden within this short line. 

For ’twas Love that prompted the sending 
Of this message to you — friend of mine. 

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Your Happy Way 


When Twilight Falls 

As the twilight fades at evening 
And the cares of day are done, 

Then I think of friends and name them, — 
In the silence, — one by one. 

Then again at day’s beginning, 

Do I think of each in this way, 

And the love I thus have garnered 
I send on Christmas Day. 

Your Right 

The wish I send on Christmas Day 
Was yours before, is yours alway. 

Not for One Day Alone 

’Tis not for one day only 
I send you greetings dear — 

May every day mean Christmas 
Through all the soul-filled year. 

With a Christmas Book 

(With apologies to Owen Meredith) 

A Christmas might be Christmas 
Without a thing to cook, 

But, oh, the joyless Christmas 
Without, at least, one book. 

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Your Happy Way 


Christmas Love Not Gifts 

Thou canst read, by searching thine own heart, 
How deep in the depths of mine, 

Have been stored all the thoughts of kindness, 
That came from the depths of thine. 

A Christmas Letter 

This Christmas eve by firelight’s glow, 

When all within is warm and sweet; 

I’ve tried to write a Christmas letter 
Worthy such a friend as you to greet. 

But no words could ever carry, 

All that is in my heart for you; 

So I opened wide my casement, 

And far away where snow and stars are meeting, 

I heard the Christmas bells peal true; 

Amd I know they’ll bring to you my greeting 
And say: Good bless you, friend, this Christmas Day. 

Chimes 

Ring, ring, glad bells, 

Ring, ring again; 

The Christ-child comes 
To free from pain. 

He comes for all — 

Not for the few. 

Ring out the old — 

Ring in the new. 


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Your Happy Way 


Joy Bells 

I can hear the joy bells ringing 
Out your way, 

I can feel your heart a-singing 
As in May; 

Because I know you hear, 

The Christ-Child is more dear, 

And the meaning grows more clear 
Of Christmas Day. 

Spirit of Christmas 

May the spirit of Christmas reign in your heart, 
As your thought makes it ring in mine; 

For ’tis joy to know, — though we are apart, 
That the songs in your heart — sing in mine. 


Wings of the Morning 

Had I the wings of the morning 

Could I prove the power that is mine; 

What could I wish for thee better 
Than that which already is thine ? 

Thy birthright is love, life, plenty! 

May the Truth which shall guide thee alway, 
Be horn in thy heart for a Bethlehem 
Anew on this bright Christmas Day. 

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Your Happy Way 


Always the Same 

Led by a star the Magi found 
Truth in a manger might be born; 
Love lights the way, today, as then, 
And heralds in each Christmas Mom. 


Friendly Greetings 

Every friendly greeting, 

Every kindly word 
Life’s amenities make sweeter 
If they’re only heard. 

This is why I stretch my hand 
Across the Yuletide snow, 

To clasp your own, in fancy 

That I’m thinking, you may know. 


Your Heritage 

What is this Truth that’s bom today? 
It is the life link that will bring 
All who have knowledge of this birth, 
Into a Knighthood of the King, 

God’s remedy for everything. 

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Your Happy Way 


Your Gift to Me 

When I pause to count my blessings, 

In the waning of the year, 

And pile the Yule logs higher, 

Or brush back the thankful tear — 

I find the best that’s come to me, 

Of all life holds most true, 

Is the sweet enduring confidence 
That God smiles at me through you. 

The Temple 

My king lives in a castle fair, 

Not a tawdry structure of wishes bare, 

But a beautiful mansion of thoughts all-true, 
I am sending the best of them straight to you, 
For I dwell in that palace of knowing. 

Allegiance 

Blest Christmas morn I hail thy light; 

Long in the dark I’ve groped my way; 
Dear Babe that’s born within my heart, 

I pledge thee faith this Christmas Day. 

Best for Thee 

All that is tender and pure and fair, 

All that makes happy and free from care; 

All that brings gladness and peace and rest, 
Be thine, with all that for thee is best. 


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Your Happy Way 


So I Am Content 


My friend: 

This Christmas eve I tried to write 
A greeting full of love and light; 

One that would cause your heart to glow, 
With kind thoughts I’d have you know. 

But soon I threw the helpless pen away, 
Content to know God blesses you each day. 

Pure Gold 

I have a beauteous gift for you, 

’Tis such a subtle thing, 

I open wide the casement of my heart, 

And it takes wing and flies across the miles to you; 
’Tis a Christmas thought all golden through. 


Always Near 

Thou art not far, dear absent friend, 

For the Christ is born today; 

If we dwell with Him in the realms of thought, 
It will keep us near alway. 

For naught can sever our paths, my friend, 

If, in His clasp divine, 

He tenderly holds, on this Christmas morn, 
Thine own dear hand and mine. 


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Your Happy Way 


Cheer 

Here’s to my stranger, 

And here’s to my friend, 

Here’s to the unknown and the dear; 
Who ever yon are, 

Where ever you are, 

Here’s my message of Christmas cheer. 

That you’re not forgot, 

I’ll give you my word, 

And I’m sending it now without fear; 
For no word returns void, 

Be it printed or thought, 

That is sent out, like this, full of cheer. 


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